Being an obedient Christian doesn’t mean you will be free from having troubles in life nor does it mean all of your troubles will be taken away. Please let me explain.

As Christians, we often forget that although God does promise to deliver us from all our troubles, that doesn’t mean all of our troubles will be taken away during our time on earth. Sometimes the troubles we experience in our lives such as being persecuted for our faith, having a chronic illness, or missing a loved one who is deceased will never be taken away until we arrive at our true home in Heaven.

Personally, I can relate to this, for I’ve had health problems most of my life, and I’ve asked God to take these problems away many times. And, unfortunately, because I’m imperfect, there have been times when I’ve been discouraged and doubtful of God’s promise because of my troubles persisting. Perhaps you can relate to this.

However, this doesn’t mean we should lose hope that God will deliver us from our troubles on earth nor does it mean we should stop asking him to deliver us from them, for if it’s his will, then he can do it. (Just look at Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother; she persistently asked God to give her a child for many years until the Lord answered her prayers.)

But we must first remember that we should want God’s will to be done, and not ours, even if that means having certain challenges persist for the duration of our earthly lives. Remember, even Jesus’ request to avoid the crucifixion was denied because it was the Father’s will to have him experience that fate in order to save humanity from our sins.

We should also remember to fix our hope on something greater than our time on earth: the eternal promises we have to look forward to in Heaven where we’ll never have any troubles ever again.

In the meantime, we have to be patient, trust in the Lord, and continue to serve Him out of love, for that is his will for us. It may not be easy, but whether it seems like it or not, God is with us through all of our troubles. He is orchestrating our destinies through his plan to bring as many people as he can into his family through his Son, Jesus – a plan that you are graciously a part of.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the eternal promises you give me as your child. Thank you for giving me the ability and privilege to come to you at any time and ask you for anything, and for your Son who made direct communication with you possible. I ask, Father, that through the power of the Holy Spirit my heart can be transformed each day and my will aligned with your will, for I wish your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Throughout This Day: Thank God for the troubles he has delivered you from. And, although it may be difficult, thank God also for the troubles that have not been taken away. Then, thank God for using the troubles in your life to help you and others grow closer in your relationship with him. Remember, God is always working for the benefit of his children, even when we don’t see it. Trust him.



Tags: Daily Devotional Psalm 34
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